ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone has announced that current Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Nick McDevitt has been selected as the school’s new head coach. The announcement came at an afternoon press conference held at the Wilma Sherrill Center.

McDevitt replaces long-time head coach Eddie Biedenbach, who resigned earlier in the month to take an assistant coaching position at UNC Wilmington. He becomes the sixth head coach of the Bulldog program.

“We are delighted to introduce Nick McDevitt as our new head basketball coach,” stated Cone. “In the nine years I’ve worked with Nick, he has always conducted himself as a champion and a leader.

“Nick has earned this opportunity. While guiding our program this past month, he distinguished himself as the leading candidate during the search process,” added Cone. “Nick is the perfect person to continue not only our winning tradition that we have established at UNC Asheville but also to provide us with a vision and a plan for greater levels of achievement in the future.”

“This is an especially proud moment for UNC Asheville to name Nick McDevitt, a lifetime Bulldog, as our new head coach. As a four-year player who maintained a place on the Dean’s List while majoring in history, Nick has embodied how to do Division I athletics the right way,” stated UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder. “It is a testament to Nick’s work ethic and basketball IQ that he is now ready to carry on the UNC Asheville tradition of excellence. Nick is the best person to build on UNC Asheville’s momentum, and to give our young, exciting Bulldog team the leadership they need to be successful on and off the court.”

“I want to thank Janet Cone, Chancellor Ponder and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to continue my journey in coaching at such a wonderful place,” stated McDevitt. “UNC Asheville has a rich basketball tradition. We have been fortunate to enjoy the Eddie Biedenbach era, and I believe that we are poised to do even better greater things. I’m excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

After graduating from UNC Asheville in 2001, Biedenbach immediately appointed McDevitt to his coaching staff. He served as an assistant coach for 10 seasons before being elevated to Associate Head Coach in 2011. During McDevitt’s tenure as an assistant and associate head coach, the Bulldog program has captured three Big South Conference Tournament championships, three Big South regular-season titles and made four post-season trips. Asheville has competed in the NCAA Tournament three times (2003, 2011, 2012) and the NIT once (2008). The Bulldog program has posted a 113-82 overall record over the last six seasons and a Big South-best 68-34 league record during that period.

McDevitt was a four-year letterman for the Bulldogs from 1997 through 2001. He graduated in May 2001 with a degree in history. His playing time increased steadily during his career as he became a key player for UNC Asheville off the bench in the 2000-01 season. He was fifth on the team in three-pointers made with 11 and led the team by shooting 52 percent from long distance.

In addition, McDevitt enjoyed considerable success off the court. He was named to the Big South Conference All-Academic team his junior and senior years and was a member of the Dean’s List four different times at UNC Asheville. He was also a member of the Big South Presidential Honor Roll three times and served on the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) Student Basketball Council his junior and senior years.

He has coached 15 different Bulldog players who have earned All-Big South Conference honors.

McDevitt enjoyed a standout career at Madison HS in Marshall. He was the starting point guard for the Patriots for three seasons and led the 2-A school to three straight conference championships and two regional appearances. McDevitt averaged 17 points and 10 assists his senior year and earned all-region honors by the Asheville Citizen-Times. In addition, he is Madison’s all-time leader in assists and steals.

Nick coached the Tennessee Travelers 17-Under team in 2001 and assisted Bob Gibbons’ Tournament of Champions in 1999 and 2001.

Last summer, he was named to Asheville’s inaugural “Forty Under 40” class by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Nick was recognized for making a mark in the Asheville area in professional achievements and commitment to excellence.

The Marshall native was married to the former Lauren Cooper this past August.

What People Are Saying About Nick McDevitt

Eddie Biedenbach (Former UNC Asheville head coach)

“Nick is very deserving of this opportunity. I am very happy for him and know he’ll do a great job. Nick was an exemplary player and coach for our program and a key reason for our success.”

Brad Brownell (Clemson head coach)

"This is a great hire by UNC Asheville. Nick knows every aspect of the program as he was terrific player and coach for Asheville. He’s a bright, young coach who knows what to look for in recruits that fit in at Asheville. It will be a smooth transition for him as head coach and I am confident he’ll continue the winning tradition that Asheville has established.”